Dear Parents,

8th December: A huge thank you to all who made our celebrations on 8th December a huge success – we were blown away by the amazing baking and many contributions on the day! Also, thanks to those who were a great help with the catering – we would not have been able to pull it all together without you! We are very grateful for the continued support and we hope those who were able to join us, enjoyed the day. Well done to the children on their fabulous performances – they were just superb!

Christmas Holidays: Please note the school will close at 12 noon on 22nd December (the school bus will run at 11.45AM in order to accommodate the Secondary school bus run to Boherbue.) School will reopen on Monday January 8th.

Swimming: A letter regarding swimming lessons was given to your child during the week – please contact the school if you did not receive the note.

Bambinelli Blessing: Sunday 17th  December 2023 Fr Toby has asked I send out the message below to parents/guardians regarding the Bambinelli Blessing (blessing of crib Baby Jesus figurine):

‘A beloved annual tradition in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, and now celebrated in churches around the world, the Blessing of the Bambinelli was first instituted by Pope St. John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, the children of Rome are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus (‘Bambinelli’ in Italian) from each of their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square, where the Pope blesses the figurine. This Advent tradition is a way for people to connect their Nativity scene at home to the celebration of Christmas at their church.

All children and families are invited to bring the Baby Jesus figurine from their cribs at home to be blessed all weekend Masses in Kanturk and 11am Mass in Lismire on the Third Sunday of Advent (17th December).

Following the blessing, families take their ‘bambino’ home, wrap it and as a family open that parcel first on Christmas morning and the youngest member of the family would place it in the crib. A gift of the presence of Christ in the home this Christmas.

Many thanks,

Ailín.